RONİDA HACÎ

Aleppo- Since the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took over Syria, the situation in the country has become even more complicated. As the conflict has been escalating, the interim government pursues a policy of division and civil war against the ethnic and religious identities of Syria on social media.

All ethnic and religious groups in North and East Syria are united, said Rihan Elo, coordinating member of Kongra Star in Aleppo. “Syria is going through a very complex situation, affecting all parts of Kurdistan and the Middle East. Since the start of the Rojava Revolution, all people of North and East Syria have opposed the nationalist system by struggling and resisting. The people of North and East Syria have lived together for years. In the spirit of coexistence, they organize themselves together and respond to attacks on the region. One of the main results of the joint struggle of the people in Syria, especially in North and East Syria, was the fall of the Baathist regime, which caused confusion among the Syrian people with its racist system. However, the arrival of the interim government has shattered the hopes of Syrian people for a more democratic and equal country.”

 Rihan Elo criticized the practices and hate speech used by Syria’s interim government and said, “The HTS has an extremist language, encouraging attacks and threats. In addition to the crimes committed on the Syrian coastal areas and in Sweida, the interim government in Damascus incite chaos and civil war by using social media. In order to build a peaceful and stable Syria, our language must first be a language of peace, politics and stability because extremist language and hate speech can only drag Syria into a civil war.”

‘Syria needs a confederal system’

Rihan Elo believes that a confederal system is the most appropriate system to protect the rights of all people in Syria. “We call on all individuals, politicians and organizations seeking for a solution in Syria not to use hate speech. We want to build a new Syria based on democracy and equality, where all identities can live and organize themselves with their own colors, voices, cultures, religions and beliefs. The language used by us must unite and embrace all people without discrimination. Syria needs a confederal system.”

‘The fundamental duty of women is to educate their society’

Rihan Elo pointed to the leading roles of women in Syria and said, “In such a process, we, as women, must play important roles. The fundamental duty of women is to educate their society and raise awareness. We embrace and protect the power and organizational experience of women in North and East Syria, especially the women's struggle in Aleppo. Syrian women’s leadership and solidarity can build a democratic and equal Syria.”

Rihan Elo called on everyone in Syria to welcome the “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. “Leader Apo called for peace and democratic society. However, there is an increase in hate speech in Syria because the ruling and opposition forces do not want the end of war and massacres. They do not want the success of leader Öcalan’s project because they know that this project poses a threat to their own interests. Syria needs peace and stability.”